Who I Am
Hi, I’m Dr. Emily El‑Oqlah (she/her/hers), a licensed clinical psychologist practicing in California. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, I specialize in relational therapy and work with both individuals and couples. My collaborative approach honors your expertise in your own life while helping you explore and navigate relationship dynamics with partners, family, friends, and colleagues.
Through strengthening your relationship with yourself and others — and developing greater self‑insight — we can discover new and effective ways to navigate life’s challenges. It is truly an honor to walk alongside my clients on their journey toward growth, understanding, and healing!
EDUCATION
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California Berkeley
• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Memphis
• M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Houston-Clear Lake
• B.A. in Psychology, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Dr. El-Oqlah is licensed by the Board of Psychology in the state of California and her license number is PSY34061.
My Training
My training as a psychologist has given me a diverse and well-rounded foundation in both collaborative and evidence-based approaches to therapy.
I began my career while completing my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, training at the Houston Galveston Institute, the founding center for Collaborative Language Systems Therapy. There, I learned to approach therapy as a partnership: I bring expertise in the therapeutic process, while my clients bring expertise in their own lives. Together, we form a team of experts, working collaboratively to discover solutions and possibilities that align with your goals.
As a doctoral candidate, I trained at the Memphis VA Hospital, where I gained extensive experience with evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT). This training deepened my commitment to using interventions that are both research-supported and tailored to the individual needs of my clients.
Following my doctorate, I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley, where I worked within a culturally focused and one session at a time therapy model. From this experience, I came to appreciate the power of focusing on meaningful change one session at a time — a perspective that reminds me that even small shifts can have lasting impact.
Together, these experiences have shaped my therapeutic style: collaborative, culturally responsive, and grounded in approaches that truly support growth and healing.
Contact Me
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly. I can’t wait to hear from you!